Aggression Flashcards
What is the Limbic system
A system that processes information to form long term memories which influence our emotional state.
System includes= hypothalamus, amygdala, and several other nearby areas
What is the function of the amygdala
The centre of emotions and motivations. Involved giving us instinctive feelings/reactions to the environment- including aggression.
What was the procedure of Gospic et al.s Ultimatum game
Used a well established laboratory methods of assessing aggressive behaviour- the ultimatum game.
Proposer (confederate) offers to split money in a certain way with respondent. If the responder accepts, the money is split as proposed but if the responder rejects the offer, both players receive nothing.
Participants in this study played as responders while have their brain scanners by fMRI- highlights activity in different areas of the brain. The researchers found that when responders rejected unfair offers (an aggressive reaction to social provocation), scans revealed a heightened response by the amygdala.
What did the researchers of the ultimatum game find from their procedure
Benzodiazepine drug (which reduces arousal of the automatic nervous system) taken before the game had two effects on responses to unfair offers:
1) It halved the number of rejections (i.e. reduced aggression)
2) decreased the activity of the amygdala. This is strong evidence of an association between reactive aggression and amygdala activity.
What can you say about the reliability of lab studies?
Lab studies have a higher reliability, due to higher controls, increased standardisation. Replicable, able to compare results
What can you say about the validity of the ultimatum game
Lacks mundane realism, the ultimatum game is an artificial task, higher internal validity
—> standardised reduced impacts of extraneous variables. Lower ecological validity, artificial environment.
What is serotonin
A key neurotransmitter that stabilises our moods or feelings of wellbeing
What does serotonin do to the brain
Serotonin impacts your entire body.
Enables brain cells and other NS cells to communicate with each other.
It has widely inhibitory effects on the brain as it slows down neuronal activity
What are two researchers that looked into the link between serotonin and aggressive behaviour
Denton et al. (2012)
Virkkunen (1994)
What did Denson eat al found that linked serotonin to increased aggressive behaviour
Found association between normal concentrations of serotonin present in the orbitonfrontal cortex (OFC) and reduced firing of neurons, which is in tern related to a greater level of behavioural self control. Shows decreased serotonin links to reduced self control + greater impulsivity
What did Virkkunen (1994) find about the link between serotonin and aggression
compared levels of serotonin breakdown in the cerebrospinal fluid of violent impulsive and violent non-impulsive offenders.
found levels were significantly lower in the impulsive offenders.
What is testosterone
Testosterone is an androgen (a male sex hormone)- both males and females have testosterone in their bodies, but males have the hormone more present in their bodies than females.
Often noted that men are more aggressive than women. Especially when testosterone is at highest concentration.
What did Dolan eat al (2001) find about the link between testosterone and aggression.
Positive correlation between testosterone levels and aggressive behaviour in a sample of 60 male offenders in UK security hospitals. These men often had history of impulsivity and personality disorders (psychopaths)
What did research into the link between progesterone and aggression show
Progesterone levels are lowest during and just after menstruation.
Ziomkiewicz et al. (2010)… or say research has found found a negative correlation between progesterone levels and self reported aggression. (Lower levels of progesterone increases aggression).
